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guest_
· 4 years ago
· FIRST
Funny enough, much of the time when people say they don’t like cats because <they are jerks> <too aloof> or whatever- the problem is that cats are in many ways- too much like humans. It’s funny because anthropomorphization of animals is often a barrier to gettin along- dogs are very different from humans socially and in other ways- but we have co evolved to live together. Often a behavioral issue with dogs is being caused or can’t be solved because a human is trying to solve the problem as they would with another human or a human child. Cats are similar in that many issues people have with cats- are often due to them not treating a cat like a cat.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
That said- the seeming contradiction is that many perceived issues with cats are caused by people not thinking of the cat like a human. Confused? Cats are not generally pack animals. Even in social groups they tend towards independence. They seem to like having choices, being able to leave, being able to decide when they want attention or when they want to eat. When we think of them as “pets” that exist for our amusement or comfort- we tend to have problems.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
Because simply put- cats are very human in that way. If someone came up and touched you without permission or letting you know (most people don’t observe or practice cat signals- many we simply cannot-) you might get upset. If you were trying to leave and someone insisted on keeping you there, or if you felt like you couldn’t leave if you wanted, you might get anxiety or agitation, even anger.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
If someone asked you to do tricks to amuse them- you’d probably feel some way about that, less than enthusiastic and on demand unless you felt like it. One thing that is interesting- a theory that suggests that dogs are well aware that we are not dogs. They get that we are something else but can somewhat communicate cats- studies suggest they think you’re a big, incompetent, ugly cat. And largely they aRe stuck with you.
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guest_
· 4 years ago
You’re the coworker who is oblivious to almost every social grace, misses ever signal and sign, messed everything up and makes life harder for those around you. And you’re gigantic, smelly, and often forceful and hands on in disrespecting their space and wishes. And there is no HR they can go to. But despite all that cats often do have a fondness for their humans or humans in general. Often when cats “are jerks” it is because someone made them a jerk by being a jerk every day without likely realizing it.
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jensensbooty
· 4 years ago
My cat weighs 17 lbs
